Mammoth vs Red Wings Prediction, Picks, Odds & Lineups for December 17

• I’ve made my Mammoth vs Red Wings prediction for Wednesday’s game on TNT
• The Red Wings’ power play advantage (23.8% vs 16.2%) should prove decisive
• See my complete Mammoth vs Red Wings prediction, plus odds and best picks

Two teams heading in opposite directions square off Wednesday night at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings (19-12-3) have won six of their last eight and sit atop the Atlantic Division with just three points dropped in eight December games. Utah (16-16-3) has lost 14 of 17 since a hot start and can’t string together more than two wins in a row.

Both teams are on the second night of a back-to-back. Detroit knocked off the Islanders 3-2 at home on Tuesday behind Alex DeBrincat’s 20th goal of the season. Utah managed just one goal in a 4-1 loss at Boston, and their offensive struggles on the road continued.

Puck drop is 7:30 PM ET. Here’s my Mammoth vs Red Wings prediction for tonight’s game, along with my best picks and Wednesday NHL betting odds.

Mammoth vs Red Wings Prediction

My Mammoth vs Red Wings prediction on Wednesday is Detroit winning outright on home ice. The advanced numbers show Utah’s actually generating better possession metrics (52.10% CF%, 51.22% xGF%) over their last 10 games, but they’re getting killed by poor goaltending.

The Mammoth are allowing goals on 14.89% of high-danger chances at 5-on-5, near the bottom of the league. Detroit’s getting elite goaltending with a 93.10% save percentage in high-danger situations, which is why they keep winning even when the possession numbers are close.

Advanced Stats (Last 10 Games, 5v5)

Detroit’s PDO of 1.040 over their last 10 games shows they’re running hot, while Utah’s .970 PDO means they’ve been unlucky. Back-to-backs change everything, though. Utah is 0-5 in their last five road games on no rest, and Detroit is 6-1-1 in their last eight at home as favorites.

DeBrincat has 20 goals this season and eight in December alone. Dylan Larkin has 11 multi-point games, and Lucas Raymond just posted three assists on Tuesday. Utah’s defense has allowed 14 goals in its last four games with Vejmelka in net, and I don’t see that turning around tonight.

Detroit holds a massive edge on the power play at 23.8% compared to Utah’s 16.2%. That 7.6% gap is huge, especially in a game where both teams are tired from last night’s game. The faceoff numbers also favor Detroit at 51.8% to 47.6%, indicating more puck possession and more chances to set up their dangerous power play.

Utah’s actually better defensively overall when you look at goals against per game (2.83 vs 3.06), but the Red Wings generate slightly more offense (3.09 vs 3.06). The difference tonight should be special teams, where Detroit has that clear PP advantage.

Mammoth vs Red Wings Picks

• Best Bet: Red Wings ML (-125 at FanDuel)

I’m taking Red Wings -125 on the moneyline for my Mammoth vs Red Wings pick tonight. Detroit has won six straight games as favorites, and it’s 5-1 in its last six against teams with losing records. Utah can’t close out games right now, and their road struggles on back-to-backs are brutal.

Some money has come in on Utah, tightening the line. But I can’t pass up -125 odds against a team that’s lost five straight on the road and playing with no rest. Power play and faceoffs often decide these back-to-back games, and the Red Wings’ edge in those categories should allow them to control possession in key moments.

I expect Detroit to pull away in the third period like they did against the Islanders. They’ve shown they can step on the gas when leading, and Utah doesn’t have the defensive structure to hang with them over 60 minutes.

Mammoth vs Red Wings Odds

The Red Wings are -125 on the moneyline, giving them 60% implied probability to continue their home winning streak. There could even be better value on the puck line at +200, where you’re getting plus juicy money on a team that’s covered the spread in six straight games as favorites.

The total is sitting high at 6.5 based on Detroit’s recent high-scoring games. They’ve hit the over in four of their last six at home, and Utah’s defensive issues on the road could push this number higher. The betting public is hammering the over with 87% of the money, which has the books shading toward the under at -120.

Utah at +175 on the moneyline might look tempting as a road dog, but they’re just 3-10 in their last 13 road games overall. The 55% of puck line money on Utah +1.5 at -225 means the public thinks Detroit wins but keeps it close. I’m playing it safe and taking Detroit straight up.

Mammoth vs Red Wings Starting Goalies

Cam Talbot is expected to start for Detroit after John Gibson played Tuesday. Talbot’s been struggling with an 0-3-2 record and 3.77 GAA in his last five starts, which is the one concern for backing the Red Wings tonight. But he’s facing a Utah offense that managed just one goal against Boston.

Karel Vejmelka gets the nod for the Mammoth and has allowed 14 goals in his last four starts, though he’s won two straight. The 27-year-old’s been one of the busier goalies in the league with 26 appearances, but his road splits are rough (.886 sv%). Utah’s defensive issues in front of him won’t help matters this evening.

Mammoth vs Red Wings Projected Lineups

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards

Defense

Goalies: Cam Talbot (starter), John Gibson

Utah Mammoth

Forwards

Defense

Goalies: Karel Vejmelka (starter), Vitek Vanecek

Detroit’s missing Patrick Kane (upper body) and Mason Appleton (lower body), while Utah is without Logan Cooley (lower body) and Alex Kerfoot (lower body). Neither team held a morning skate after playing on Tuesday.

How to Watch Mammoth vs Red Wings

Wednesday’s game starts at 7:30 PM ET from Little Caesars Arena. TNT, truTV, and HBO Max will carry the broadcast.